Parcel distribution and display system



Dec. 26, 1967 H. s. WINFIELD PARCEL DISTRIBUTION AND DISPLAY SYSTEM 4 She ets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 11, 1961 IN VEN TOR. HERBERT S. WINFIELD rllllil"! 3 r h A L i 11 .1 1. 1| .5: t V E g S a a A TTORNE YS.

H. s. wmme 3,360,104

Dec. 26, 1967 PARCEL DISTRIBUTION.AND DISPLAY SYSTEM I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 11, 1961 ATTORNEY-51' Dec. 26, 1967 H. s. WINFIELD PARCEL DISTRIBUTION AND DISPLAY SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed July 11, 1961 L: if

INVENTOR. HERBERT s. WINFIELD A TTORNE YS.

Dec. 26, 1967 r H. s. WINFIELD PARCEL DISTRIBUTION AND DISPLAY SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Shget 4 Original Filed July 11 INVENTOR.

HERBERT s. WJNFIELD ATTORNEYS. I

United States Patent Wisconsin Continuation of application Ser. No. 123,171, July 11, 1961. This application May 17, 1965, Ser. No. 456,337

19 Claims. (Cl. 198-103) This is a continuation of SN. 123,171 filed July 11, 1961.

This invention relates to a new parcel distribution system for display of parcels, baggage and the like to a large number of persons each seeking to select for removal particular items. It is particularly useful for the delivery of hand luggage and parcels from ship, plane or train to the luggage distribution or customs room where disembarking passengers may select their own parcels in a selfservice manner, without the help of an attendant.

It is generally known in the prior art that circular and other rotary conveyers may be employed to distribute parcels to a peripheral area for classification as in postal distribution systems where an operator removes the same for further sorting. Likewise, it is old in the art to deliver various items from one point to another by horizontal conveyer means employing conventional moving belts, and the like. These systems have not, singly or in any combination been adapted to the automatic distribution to customers of luggage, due to many failings in automatic operation, and because such devices were heretofore inherently dangerous when used unattended by the general public. Furthermore, no satisfactory rotary distribution and holding apparatus has been available for the handling and display of items of luggage without damage, or with reliable automatic operational characteristics, and the transfer from any linear transport conveyer to a rotary distributor has presented problems not previously solved for a public distribution service.

It is an object of this invention to provide an automatic luggage handling system applicable for use in terminals of all kinds, which is capable of automatic operation to transport luggage within the terminal to a luggage claiming room where each passenger may quickly select his own luggage for immediate departure.

Another object is to improve the operational safety of a rotary display table in order to provide safe distribution at its periphery of parcels to be claimed by many persons.

A further object of this invention is to provide a system in which a large number of persons may find access to the display area in order that their parcels may be selected without delay and without awaiting the services of an attendant or waiting in line for other persons to claim their parcels.

A further object is to provide an improved turntable for distributing to the outer edge thereof parcels automatically conveyed thereonto by linear conveyer means.

A still further object is to provide a system which distributes luggage according to origin or destination and selectively displays it only to the group of passengers concerned.

The system of the present invention is adaptable to use with several initial receiving stations, for example, one rotary distributor for each arriving flight. Typically, it conveys all parcels to the distribution room where they are separated and displayed on rotating platforms until picked up by departing passengers, sufficient space being provided for easy access by all without trailic congestion. A saving of time for passengers and station personnel as well, since no handling of baggage, except by the pas senger is required in the distribution room, and loading of baggage for each distributor, separated by flight or origin, is easily achieved.

3,360,104 Patented Dec. 26, 1967 The system contains an improved arrangement of a linear conveyer to feed into the approximate center of a generally conical or glacis-sided rotating delivery structure. This may be effected from a loading level either above the horizontal plane of the rotating delivery means, as illustrated, or from below, in either case leaving the terminal floor space uncluttered. In one form, for use with multiple delivery turntables, the articles are fed by several straight conveyers running substantially parallel to one another to the centers, respectively, of several rotary delivery and display conveyers aligned on substantially the same center line, by running the linear conveyers at a moderate angle with respect to the aligned rotary distributors. Considerable saving of space is thus achieved for the linear conveyers and the starting or loading points therefor may be arranged either adjacent each other when the large number of items, as from a ship, requires several distributors or separated on different ramps, each accommodating baggage from a different flight. The arrangement permits multiple linear units to discharge on distributors set in a line, without requiring additional changes of direction for the linear conveyers.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be readily apparent as the description proceeds by means of iilustrations of a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a systememploying three distribution tables according to one version of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the single rotary distributor with linear conveyer means, partly broken away to illustrate drive and carrier mechanisms of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial section-a1 elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating transition means between the linear conveyor and the rotary table;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 4 showing the bumper or arresting means and the protective guard surrounding the rotary table; 1

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is :a partial sectional view FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the supporting structure for face elements comprising the table shown in FIG. 2 taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 4.

With reference to the drawings, numerals 1, 2 and 3 represent three rotary conveyors of a system according to this invention, located substantially along a common center line, but separated sufiiciently to permit access from all sides of each, to accommodate many persons seeking to receive parcels or luggage thereby delivered lfOI inspection or retrieval. Horizontal linear feed conveyors 4, 5 and 6 are shown in substantially parallel adjacentposition for delivery of parcels onto the rotary conveyors 1, 2 and 3. To effect savings in cost and conveyor space such conveyers are shown .angularly offset from the center line taken through 1, 2 and 3 at a moderate angle, e.g., from at two degrees to fifteen degrees, depending on the separation of conveyer tables 1, 2 and 3. The direction of linear delivery-for conveyers 4, 5 and 6 is indicated by the arrows, and the direction of rotation of distributors 1, 2 and 3 is optional but is illustratively indicated by arrows. Baggage, parcels and the like may be fed from some source such as one or more platforms (not shown) into the inlets or feeding areas, 7, 8, 9 of the linear conveyers 4, 5 and 6. The linear conveyers transport parcels and deposit them onto one of the sloping faces 10, 11, 12 of the rotary distributors whence they slide to the periphery thereof and lodge against an outer limiting wall or bumper ring from which they may be selected and removed as they along line 7-7 of rotatively pass the passengers then assembled around the periphery of the distributors. While it may be convenient to juxtapose several inlet areas Without the directional change illustrated in FIG. 1, as when all conveyors are to be fed from a single supply too large to be loaded on one distributor, feeding points are generally separated as at 7, Sand 9, and a number of supply trucks each from its own incoming flight may unload at the same time at separated baggage ramps.

Baggage received and loaded on a linear conveyer is distributed to .a corresponding turntable for display and is retained thereon in continuous rotary motion so as to pass each peripheral position in the distributing room. It is contemplated that parcels so displayed will remain in displayed rotary movement until retrieved, or until set aside by terminal attendants in the event the passenger does not claim his luggage. If the table is not to be immediately used for another flight, it may be merely stopped after nearly all customers have gone until again needed.

It is understood that the turntable will be in motion in the presence of members of the public, children, animals, etc, such that it becomes mandatory to protect them from the rotating table. Accordingly, there is around each of the tables 1, 2 and 3, a fixed circular guard rail and wall, best shown in FIG. 4-. As a support for the rail, there is a base structure 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 generally of circular form including any suitable arrangement, not shown, for securing the same to the floor of the terminal. An upright circular portion 14 is recessed beneath rotary tables 1, 2 or 3. It may be conveniently formed of L-section aluminum bent into a circle with a flat surface 13 adjacent the floor and an upright portion 14 to which may be secured an additional L-section 15 likewise circularly formed and secured at the outer periphery thereof as by rivets 16 to form an outwardly extending flange above the level of the floor, as illustrated. Attached thereto is a vertical guard wall, which may employ a further L-section 17 similarly formed into a circle with an upwardly extending flange to which may be attached by bolts 18 a vertical upstanding wall 19. In a typical installation the wall 19 is of stainless steel or aluminum extending to about eighteen inches height above the floor.

An upper guard rail, illustrated particularly in FIG. 5, is generally indicated at 20. Guard rail 20 comprises an inner L-section, as indicated at 21, circularly formed, and secured within the upper edge of wall 1?. A companion L-section member 22 slightly larger in diameter is positioned exteriorly of the upper edge of wall 19, and. the two members are removably secured together by bolts, as at 24. Member 22 has a broad, inwardly extending portion 23 reaching approximately to the vicinity of the rotating table. This construction makes a convenient means for securing by clamping bolts 24 a flexible ring 25 shaped in the form of an annulus or washer disposed between horizontal flanges of the members 21.

Inasmuch as the table will be rotating within and adjacent to the guard rail 20, it is necessary to prevent articles from falling between member 23 and the rotating table and to prevent accidental injury to persons whose hands, clothing, or other attached objects may become caught between the guard rail and the rotating table. For this reason, the ring 25 extends firom the guard nail 20 beneath the metallic protecting ring extension at 23 to a position overlying the edge of the rotating table. Flexible member 25, constructed as illustrated, consists of .a circular flat rubber disc secured at its outer edge to guard rail 20 and extends inwardly sufliciently to contact and rest upon rotating bumper 66, to be further described hereinafter. Ring 25 serves to fill the opening between the stationary rail 20 and the rotating adjacent portions of the table and flexibly accommodates to any irregularities of motion thereof so as to prevent articles or hands from entering that space to cause injury to persons or impede motion of the turntable. At the same time, a toe space 26 is provided by the construction illustrated at 14, 15 and 17 whereby persons retrieving parcels may place their feet extending beneath the outer edge or the rotary table while lifting parcels therefrom.

While the system of the present invention may employ rotary distributors of other design, that herein illustrated has proved highly effective in use. Functionally, it receives parcels delivered by a linear conveyer to a point near the center thereof and distributes these for ready retrieval by disembarking passengers. While a linear conveyer might be caused to deliver parcels to a rotary table having sides sloping away therefrom at the same angle as the conveyer, this is found not to function reliably. There is provided instead a substantially horizontal platform region within a central opening in the rotating table to which parcels are brought by the linear conveyer whence they are deposited upon the sloping surface of the turntable with a tilting motion, hereafter to be described. According to this construction, stationary platform 27 substantially fills the central aperture in the rotary table, being, for example, of one-third the table diameter. The stationary platform may be supported in a convenient manner as by supports 28 and 29 secured to the floor of the terminal. Platform 27 is disposed at a level slightly above that of the turntable. The linear conveyer, generally illustrated at 30, for transporting luggage into the vicinity of this platform is illustrated as coming in from a higher level. Such a linear transport is normally equipped with side panels, as at 31, to form a parcel conveying channel. Generally beneath walls 31 and on either side of the conveyer, there are arranged supporting rails, as at 32 and 33 which may be constructed by I-beams. Mounted on members 32 and 33 by suitable bearings of conventional design are rollers 34 and 35 disposed parallel to each other and transversely of the linear conveyer. Passing around these rollers there is shown a conventional conveyer belt 36 arranged to form a load carrying surface. Each section of the linear conveyer is so equipped. Also illustrated beneath the supporting members 32 and 33, there is a drive motor 37, a reduction gear 38 driving a reduced speed sprocket 39, a chain 40, and a driving socket 41. Attached to the driving sprocket is a driven roller 42 about which the belt also passes. Completing the belt support and drive there is an adjustable idler roller 44 by which the belt is maintained in adequate tension to maintain an operative load carrying surface shown as 47.

Linear transport 30 is illustrated as coming from a higher level of the terminal for delivery of baggage to the turntable, as in FIG. 3. It will be understood that it is equally effective to provide a passage in the floor beneath the table and to cause the baggage to arrive at the platform level from beneath, after having passed under the outer edge of the turntable. This section of the linear transport would then be disposed within a cutaway portion of platform 27 such that the surface 47 of the load carrying belt is at an elevation slightly above that of the rotary table.

Whether the linear transport means comes in from above or below the table, an inclined portion is provided bringing the luggage to approximately the center of the platform, and a section of the linear conveyer of reduced angle of inclination, illustrated in FIG. 3 as horizontal, promotes even distribution of luggage around the distributor. Its angle of inclination is less than the angle of inclination of the turntable glacis. It has been found that baggage transported directly from a linear conveyer to the rotary portion causes a number of difficulties in clogging of the baggage delivery mechanism, spilling of the baggage, and the like. With the surface 47 approximately horizontal and slightly above the level of the turntable parcels transported therealong approach the inner edge of the rotating table from above and, as the center of gravity of each parcel passes beyond the end of the linear transport, the parcel is caused to tilt outwardly and downwardly into engagement with the table surface. A quick.

transition from linear motion along surface 47 to a radial and rotary motion results as the parcels become borne upon the surface of the rotary table.

In order to facilitate the transition from the linear motion to the circular motion there is preferably provided an idler roller 46 having supporting bearings 45 attached conventionally to the support members 32 and 33. The upper surface of the roller 46 is preferably arranged in approximate alignment with the surface 47 and is substantially above a line or plane joining the end of the surface 47 with the upper edge of the turntable proximate thereto. It is noted that the upper surface of the roller 46 is disposed above the extended line of the glacis of the turntable while at the same time being on the level with, or slightly below, the level of surface 47. By this construction it has been found that baggage and parcels of various kinds having a generally rigid form are easily transported from the carrying surface 47 to the surface of the rotating table whence they are carried to the outer rim thereof and brought into circular motion therearound. By the construction just described, damage to luggage is avoided and the tendency of the parcels so transported to lodge or overturn at the exit termination of the linear conveyer is avoided.

Each section of the linear conveyer is equipped with belt supporting rollers and a drive mechanism, as illustrated for the horizontal section in FIG. 3 except that no need is found for the idler roller 46 between such sections inasmuch as there is no transition from linear to circular motion involved between the sections of linear conveyer.

The platform 27 and its supporting structure 28 and 29 support the final portion of the linear conveyer which brings all parcels to a single location at the edge of platform 27 which is concentrically surrounded by the distribution table. The rotary table then picks up these parcels in sequence and distributes them in display arrangement for retrieval by the customers.

concentrically surrounding the platform and adjacent thereto is a rotary support structure consisting of ring members 43 and 49 arranged one above the other and held by vertical support members 50 located at suitable intervals around rings, being preferably formed of L- sections, one side of each being attached tangentially to rings 48 and 49, the other forming an outwardly extending flange. These rings also are conveniently formed of aluminum L-sections each being bent and joined to form a closed circle, which may be further reinforced and in any convenient manner. As supported by members 50, rings 48 and 49 form the upper and lower terminations of a generally cylindrical central aperture for the rotary table.

The load-bearing surface 60 is supported by a strong and light skeleton structure, made for example of aluminum, generally in the form of a spider web where radial members 51 decline outwardly and are T-beams having flat surfaces disposed upwardly and webs or flanges extending vertically downward, being attached to ring member 49, by bolting or welding to the radially extending flanges of members 50 previously mentioned. Radial members 51 are each supported intermediate their inner and outer ends by a rigid triangular structure comprising the inner portion of a beam 51, a vertical support member 50 and horizontal beam 52 which extends radially from ring 48. Reinforcing members 54 are secured by welding or bolting both to members 51 and 52. Beams 52 have vertical flanges secured at their inner ends to members 50 in the same manner as members 51.

In order to provide a load-bearing surface having an outwardly declining glacis of correct slope for gently transporting parcels to the periphery, the angle of slope to be chosen requires consideration of the coefi'icient of friction of the surface covering. When this surface is clad with polished stainless steel, as here illustrated, a slope angle of about eighteen degrees is desirable. This angle would be increased if a material of higher surface friction were employed for surface 60. To provide the appropriate angle this invention employs a number of surface-supporting radial members like rigid umbrella ribs. These members are formed of the combination of elements 50, 51 and 52 so proportioned that when beams 52 are about radially horizontal at the level of ring 48, and beams 51 attach at their inner ends to ring 49 and decline radially outward to join at their approximate mid-points the outer ends of beams 52, the lengths of ring support members 5%) determining the slope of members 51. While beams 52 may thus extend horizontally, they might equally well have opposite slope to members 51, by increasing the lengths of members 50, or might have any slope of the same sign but less than that of members 51 in order to increase the clear space above the floor and beneath the turntable. As illustrated, a clear space beneath the inner portions of the turntable is provided for the support and rotation mechanism. The periphery of the table is made convenient-1y low by extending members 51 beyond their intersections with members 52 a distance approximating the length of members 52.

The entire table structure may then be supported for rotation on a ring structure variably locatable between inner and outer extremities of the radial members but conveniently attached to the reinforcing members 54 located at the junctions of members 51 and 52. Reinforcing members 54 thus serve as support members for the table, engaging beams 51 and having right angle portions 55 extending horizontally in a position to receive support from a circular bearing ring 56 which is also concentric with the rotary table. Ring 56 is conveniently formed of aluminum U-beam stock bent into a circle with flanges extending outwardly, the upper flange being secured to members 54 at angled portions 55, thus supporting the radial structures composed of elements 50, 51 and 52. The radial beams are attached at their inner ends equidistantly about rings 48 and 49 and at the outer ends equidistantly to a ring 61 which is of circularly bent L section to have a horizontal outer radial flange and a vertical cylinder portion, also concentric with platform 27. The extremities of members 51 may be attached to the cylinder portion or ring 61 by means of L-section tabs 62 engaging both the vertical web of each member 51 and the cylindrical surface of 61. To provide adequate rigidity for the outer periphery of the table a second and heavier ring 63 may be formed of L-section stock, bent into a circle with a horizontal flange overriding the flange of member 61 to which it is secured in a rigid inverted U-structure, which may be provided with further reinforcement along a vertically extending cylindrical portion of ring 63, as at 65. Ring members 49, 56 and 61, connected by radial members 51, are thus seen to form a spider Web construction of somewhat dished form, held in shape by web portions 48, 50 and 52.

In order to provide an arresting and transporting area for receipt and display of parcels placed on the turntable there is provided at the outer periphery thereof a circular wall 64 attached to the exterior cylindrical surface of ring 63 and rising thereabove a convenient distance for the retention of any parcels placed on the sloping face 60 of the table. Cylinder 64 may conveniently be formed of stainless steel sheet or other attractive material rigid enough to support the load carried at the table edge. At the upper extent of the cylinder 64 there is provided a rubber bumper 66 ananged around the inner surface of the cyiinder at the upper limit thereof. For this purpose it is found effective to employ resilient tubing constructed, for example, of rubber, plastic or the like, and of sufiicient diameter and stiffness to arrest the outward motion of parcels placed on the rotating table and to retain them in position for rotary transport without extensive distortion of the tube 66 under the outward pressure exerted by the parcels thereon. An efficient and effective rubber bumper is thus formed, being for example, of rubber tubing about four inches in external diameter and three inches in 4 internal diameter. As a means of securing this rubber tubing to the upper edge of the cylinder 64 a thin strip of metal may be preformed within the tubing 66 in a position such that when the tube is formed into a circle of external diameter approximating that of the cylinder 64 the metal strip 67 is disposed adjacent the edge of cylinder 64. This forms a convenient means by which the tubing 66 can be secured to the cylinder 64, first by drilling holes at suitable intervals through the upper extremity of cylinder 64 and the adjacent wall of tubing 66, thence through metal strip 67, and then securing the tubing 66 to the cylinder 64 with self-tapping metal screws 68. The bumper 66 may, of course, be manufactured by extrusion and may be of rubber or suitable resilient plastic having a high percentage of deformation under impact of parcels loaded thereagainst.

Previously described was a fiat rubber or plastic stationary guard ring which overlies the upper portion of the periphery of the turntable. As illustrated in FIG. 5, flexible ring member 25 extends inwardly from supports 23 and 25 to approximately the center of rotating bumper 66. The upper portions of the ring 66 may become unevenly distorted under parcel loading, and the flexible guard ring 25 lying thereon readily conforms to uneveness of the upper surface of member 66 rotating thereunder. It may be seen that in this manner no space is left between the guard ring 25 and the bumper 66. Also, any irregularities of motion of the turntable do not produce a gap therebetween into which objects may fall. Furthermore, it becomes virtually impossible for curious children to become injured by placing their hands or other objects between the protector ring 25 and bumper ring 66, nor is accidental injury likely to occur in any manner.

In order to provide smooth rotation of the table about its central axis, ring 56 was described as attached concentrically intermediate the extremities of beam 51. This ring has a vertical cylindrical inner surface 69 and a horizontal lower flange 71 suitable for support on roller members 70 disposed therebelow. Roller members 70 are preferably of rubber, or may :be rubber tired wheels, in order to assure smooth and quiet operation of the table during rotation. A plurality of such rollers are disposed equidistantly beneath ring 56, each arranged with a hearing surface in contact with the horizontal flange 71 at the bottom of the ring 56. Each roller 70 is arranged with its axis of rotation radially disposed with respect to the center of rotation of the turntable, at least one of the support rolls 70 has a drive shaft 72, driven by pulley 73 from a motor and gear box, as at 81 and 82. The table is moved in this manner at a slow rotation such that disembarking passengers may read their names on the parcels, or otherwise identify and remove them from the table as they pass by the location where they are standing, the time for one rotation of a twenty-five foot table being, for example, fifty seconds.

In order to maintain ring 56 accurately concentric about the axis of rotation for support by the rollers 70 additional rollers 74 are mounted about vertical axes each having an outer rubber tired surface in rolling contact with the cylinder surface 69 of the ring 56. Supporting rollers 70 need not all be driven and, as illustrated in FIG. 6, undriven rollers 75 are carried by shortened shafts 76 on bearings 77 supported in a suitable manner, as at 78, which may also form the support for the positioning rollers 74. In a typical installation 12 support rollers are provided, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of which two are driven; and six positioning rollers 74 are associated with alternate support rollers 70 or 75.

According to this construction it is apparent that a smoothly operating turntable is provided which is quiet in operation and accurately centered and which may support a considerable load driven by a small motor 81 to provide a slow rotation of the table.

The spider construction comprising the elements 49, 51, 52, 56 and 63 is adapted to be covered with a smooth surface generally in the form of a truncated cone rotatable about the conical axis thereof and having symmetrical lateral sloping sides for carrying parcels deposited at the inner extent thereof to the periphery. Since parcels emerge from the linear carriers 4, 5, or 6, one at a time in the order of depositing on the linear conveyers, they are consequently deposited one at a time on surface 60 of a rotary table.

The spider construction comprising the elements 49, 51, 52, 56 and 63 is adapted to be covered with a smooth surface generally in the form of a truncated cone rotatable about the conical axis thereof and having symmetrical lateral sloping sides for carrying parcels deposited at the inner extent thereof to the periphery. Since parcels emerge from the linear carriers 4, 5, or 6, one at a time in the order of depositing on the linear conveyers, they are consequently deposited one at a time on surface 6i! of a rotary table. Because of the slope of this surface they are successively transported to the periphery promptly upon arrival. It will also be noted that they are thus separated circumferentially around the table where they are displayed for easy successive access by all persons who may be standing around the periphery of the table.

While the surface 60 may be constructed in any suitable manner, a preferred form is illustrated in FIG. 8 which consists of panel members 57 of truncated isosceles triangular form, each supported by a pair of members 51, and removably secured thereto by means of brackets or clips 58 secured to panel members 57 along each lateral edge thereof. The brackets 58 on each panel are formed and positioned to receive a horizontally extending flange of a T-beam in supporting relation under each lateral edge such that every panel rests upon an adjacent pair of radial beams 51. When panel members 57 are formed of light and strong fibrous material, such as plywood, an improved surface is essential for a proper distribution of the baggage without scratching the same and at the same time permitting ready transport of the baggage to the periphery of the turntable. For this purpose, the panels 57 may be covered with thin sheets of stainless steel 59 with edges thereof turned down to cover the lateral edges of panels 57. In order to provide a completely smooth exterior surface for transporting the baggage, no holes, rivets, screws or the like are employed in the surface material 59, which may be secured to the panels by gluing, cementing or in any other manner to leave a smooth surface. A considerable number of panels formed in this way, for example thirty, present a generally conical surface to the viewing public, which is made more attractive as well as more economical by panel construction, as illustrated. Alternatively, a conical surface might be constructed of a single sheet held in place by brackets suitably spaced thereunder with suitable arrangements to adjust the brackets into engagement with beams 51 after placement thereon.

The structure illustrated is a multilateral truncated pyramid with a generally conical surface 66 symmetrical about central platform 27, having the inner edge of surface 60 adjacent to the platform. In order to avoid damage to parcels and to prevent table clogging, the inner boundary of the rotating table formed by the inner ends of panels 57 is provided with resilient means partially closing the gap existing between the rotating table and the circular platform 27. A simple and convenient means for accomplishing this is to place thereon a rubber or plastic rim 79 which may be formed simply by longitudinally slitting a length of hose, for example, of one inch diameter, and forcing the slitted hose onto the inner extremities of the panels. This rim may be permanently secured to the panel elements of the table by means of screws and washers arranged at suitable intervals around the inner circle forming the boundary of the rotary table. The rim 79 is of size and location such that rigid parcels passing from surface 47 over roller 46 strike the surface 60 before contacting rubber rim 79. The lower end of each parcel is slow to assume a rotary motion before the upper end leaves roller 46. Because of the smooth character of surface 60 and the slow rotation of the table, ordinary items of luggage tend to remain upright on the rotary distributor as placed on the linear conveyers.

While the invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment, it will be understood that many modifications of the operative principles are contemplated Within the scope of the appended claims.

What -I claim is:

1. In a parcel distribution system having linear transport means feeding at one end thereof to a rotary distributor including a central axis of rotation and a generally conical distribution surface mounted rotatably thereabout arranged to radially transport parcels deposited thereon from said linear transport means, an idler roller having a parcel supporting surface aligned substantially with said end of the linear transport means, said supporting surface being elevated sufliciently above a line joining said end of the transport means and the proximate portion of said distribution surface to substantially eliminate simultaneous contact of said parcels both with the linear transport means and the rotary distributor surface.

2. In a parcel distribution device having means including a linearly moving belt and a generally conical support surface rotatable contiguously about a discharge termination for said belt and arranged to radially distribute parcels passing said termination, motion transition means including a rotatable member positioned for holding said parcels above the direct line of motion between said termination and said surface forpreventing parcels in transition from resting on said rotatable surface and said linearly moving belt simultaneously and means arresting and retaining said parcels after limited radial distribution along said surface.

3. In a device of claim 2, last said means including a retaining barrier of cylindrical form upstanding from the periphery of said surface and resilient bumper means, comprising a soft tubular member deformable by a substantial fraction of the dimensions of the parcels under sliding impact therewith, attached to an inner surface of said cylindrical barrier.

4. In a rotary baggage distributor system fed from an inclined baggage conveyer, a turntable having thereon an upper conical surface symmetrically mounted for driven rotation about a vertical axis and having a circular opening concentric with said axis, said surface being an inclined baggage slide extending between said opening and said retaining means, driven belt transport means operatively connecting said conveyer to said surface for transport of baggage therebetween said transport means terminating within said opening and sufiiciently above the upper extent of said surface to prevent baggage contact with the edge thereof, said transport means being inclined at a lesser vertical angle than said surface whereby the baggage motion therebetween includes an outwardly and downwardly tilting motion.

5. In the distribution system of claim 4 an idler roller disposed substantially parallel to the inner edge of said surface at said opening and to the terminal end of said transport means, having its axis of rotation parallel with the axis of rotation of said means, being constructed with a load bearing face disposed substantially in alignment with that of said means and between said surface and said means, having an elevation above a direct line therebetween suflicient to avoid simultaneous contact of transported rigid parcels both with the transport means and the rotating surface.

6. In a rotary table distribution device having automatic feed conveyer means and constructed to receive therefrom rigid parcels for distribution to the periphery of the rotary table along surfaces extending inwardly and upwardly to a circular aperture in said table, a terminal roller supporting a portion of said conveyer means adjacent the circular inner edge of said surfaces and above the line of extension thereof, and a transition section of said conveyer means terminating at said roller and disposed at an angle of inclination substantially less than that of said surfaces.

7. In the device of claim 6 an idler roller mounted for rotation parallel to said terminal roller substantially fitting the space between said surface and said terminal roller and having a load-bearing surface intersecting lines joining upper faces of the conveyer means and said surfaces adjacent said aperture.

8. In a self-service baggage distribution system having a plurality of linearly aligned distribution turntables on which baggage is deposited and retained for delayed further processing, a linear conveyer for each said turntable comprising an inclined portion for transporting baggage thereon from a receiving level to the level of said turntable and a portion of reduced inclination adjacent said turntable, said conveyers being arranged in lateral juxtaposition the horizontal component of motion thereof being at an acute angle with a line centrally through said turntables, and angularly disposed feed conveyer means for some of said conveyers disposed to effect substantial separation of the feeding points of the several feed conveyer means.

9. In a parcel distribution system for a terminal the combination of a plurality of symmetrical turntables arranged in a line each driven in rotation about an axis of symmetry and each including glacis face means for radially transporting to peripheral holding spaces thereon parcels deposited centrally on the tables, a plurality of linear transporting conveyers each arranged to deposit transported parcels onto one of said turntables, said conveyers being mounted in laterally adjacent locations, the longitudinal directions thereof being at an angle with said line of turntables, an incline-d portion being included in each said conveyer for transporting baggage from one terminal level to the level of said turntable, and laterally extending conveyer means at the loading inlet ends of some of said conveyers for separating loading areas for said conveyers.

10. In a radial parcel distribution system including a rotary distribution table with transport means, means to effect placement of said parcels on said table and means driving said table in rotation about a vertical axis, an inclined surface symmetrical about said axis and having inclination suflicient to slidably distribute to the periphery thereof parcels placed thereon, said surface being supported as a load carrying surface of said table, a circular retaining barrier attached peripherally to said table and extending thereabove in the path of parcels slidably distributed on said table, and resilient bumper means on the interior of said barrier to arrest the outward motion of said parcels, being formed of soft tubular plastic material with metallic reinforcement means therein along a tubular Wall in contact with said barrier for effecting rigidity of attachments thereto at the points of contact while leaving said bumper means elsewhere soft and pliable.

11. In a baggage distribution and display rotary table mounted above a baggage room floor and having a symmetrical form about a central vertical axis about which it is driven in rotation, said table having lateral sides of surface smoothness and slope to cause baggage deposited thereon to move outwardly to the periphery thereof, circular retaining barrier means attached above said surface at said periphery for arresting the motion of said baggage and retaining it in circular movement until removed therefrom, a stationary guard ring surrounding said table mounted on said floor, and resilient flange means attached to said guard ring in overlying contact with said barrier means for resiliently closing the space between said ring and the upper portion of said barrier.

12. In the baggage display table of claim 11 said ring comprising a vertical cylinder contiguous to said barrier means at an upper portion thereof and a connected cylinder of smaller diameter than said table at a portion thereof beneath the table to provide a space therebelow serving as toe space for personnel while removing baggage from said table.

13. A rotary conveyor for distribution and display of parcels deposited in sequence at a point thereon, comprising a table mounted for rotation about an axis in the vicinity of said point and characterized by a smooth surface declining uniformly to a periphery thereof, an arresting barrier upstanding from said periphery and at tached for rotation with said table, and personnel protection means including a stationary rail and resilient means attached thereto extending over said arresting bar rier for yieldingly closing the region between said rail and said barrier against the entry of childrens hands and small articles.

14. In a rotary parcel distribution table adapted to receive parcels at a location near the center thereof and convey said parcels outwardly to peripheral resting positions thereon, in combination, a pair of spaced structural ring members supported for rotation about a common vertical axis of said table, a plurality of laterally flanged table face supporting members arranged radially above said ring members at like angles of inclination, a support member for each said flanged member engaging both said ring members and elevating one thereof above the level of the other thereof to fix said angles of inclination, parcel-supporting facing members bridging the spaces between each adjacent pair of said flanged members, and clip means securing said facing members to said flanged supporting members to provide a removable continuous inclined face for said table.

15. In the distributor device of claim 14, a smooth metallic covering on said facing members to facilitate sliding distribution of parcels from said location to said vertical retaining means.

16. In the distributor device of claim 14, said facing members being of stainless steel and inclined at substantially eighteen degrees thereby to effect radial distribution of parcels from said location to said retaining means at limited radial velocity whereby luggage is brought into rotation during said outward distribution.

17. In a rotary distributor having a peripheral barrier in the form of an upright cylinder adapted to receive the impact of fragile articles thereagainst, the improvement comprising a tubular member of resilient material disposed within the upper end portion of said cylinder, a rigid strip of generally flat structural material within said member adjacent a wall thereof in proximity to said barrier, and tensioned clamping means extending through said member, said strip, and said barrier at selected points therearound whereby said member is secured to an inner face of said barrier to receive said impact.

18. In a rotary baggage distribution table having means for depositing thereon baggage for radial distribution to the periphery thereof and having cylindrical baggage retaining means at said periphery, a stationary guard member comprising a cylinder vertically disposed on a horizontal supporting surface, a support member supported by said cylinder and extending radially outwardly therefrom, and a cylindrical guard ring of diameter larger than said guard member supported by said support member at the periphery thereof in concentric relationship to said cylinder, providing a recess extending inwardly from said guard ring to substantially underlie said periphery accommodating thereat a support region for retrieving baggage from said table.

19. In a baggage distribution table mounted for rotation about a central vertical axis, having a generally conical surfaced baggage support terminating in an upstanding vertical wall rotative with said table, a resilient bumper mounted at the upper edge of said table, comprising a tubular structure of resilient material secured to said upstanding wall by means including a metallic strip disposed interiorly of said tubular member at the vertical outermost position therein, being secured to said upstanding member by rigid fastenings tensioned between said metallic strip and said upstanding member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,046,853 12/1912 Proal 198-209 X 1,468,956 9/1923 Brooks 186-1 1,699,511 1/1929 Kendall 186l 1,963,504 6/ 1934 Rosenberg 209-424 EDWARD A. SROKA, Primary Examiner.

EVON C. BLUNK, Examiner. 

1. IN A PARCEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM HAVING LINEAR TRANSPORT MEANS FEEDING AT ONE END THEREOF TO A ROTARY DISTRIBUTOR INCLUDING A CENTRAL AXIS OF ROTATION AND A GENERALLY CONICAL DISTRIBUTION SURFACE MOUNTED ROTATABLY THEREABOUT ARRANGED TO RADIALLY TRANSPORT PARCELS DEPOSITED THEREON FROM SAID LINEAR TRANSPORT MEANS, AN IDLER ROLLER HAVING A PARCEL SUPPORTING SURFACE ALIGNED SUBSTANTIALLY WITH SAID END OF THE LINEAR TRANSPORT MEANS, SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE BEING ELEVATED SUFFICIENTLY ABOVE A LINE JOINING SAID END OF THE TRANSPORT MEANS AND THE PROXIMATE PORTION OF SAID DISTRIBUTION SURFACE TO SUBSTANTIALLY ELIMINATE SIMULTANEOUS CONTACT OF SAID PARCELS BOTH WITH THE LINEAR TRANSPORT MEANS AND THE ROTARY DISTRIBUTOR SURFACE. 